Darienite (https://darienite.com/page/3)
Being a train conductor seems like a simple, boring job: collecting tickets, opening and closing doors, reminding people to keep their feet off the seats. Yawn.
But there’s a lighter side to the job, as I wrote a few years ago, based on former conductor Michael Shaw’s great book, “My Rail Life” after he retired from a 36 year career on the New Haven line. He clearly loved his job. And he swears these stories are true.
Here’s Realtor Deirdre McGovern’s report on Darien and Rowayton-area real estate from Oct. 2 to 9, 2025:
Being a train conductor seems like a simple, boring job: collecting tickets, opening and closing doors, reminding people to keep their feet off the seats. Yawn.
Here’s Realtor Deirdre McGovern’s report on Darien and Rowayton-area real estate from June 19 to 26, 2025:
Taking mass transit is great. But when you step off your train or bus, what do you do to get to your final destination? Increasingly, that means BYO wheels: a bike, e-bike or scooter.
The problem is, the rules for bringing your “wheels” is much different depending on your carrier.
Rose DeNicola Rodriguez, affectionately known as “Cracklin’ Rosie,” passed away peacefully on Oct. 14 at the age of 101.
In the First Selectman’s Newsletter on Saturday, Jon Zagrodzky pointed out what makes this time of year uniquely enjoyable, while it lasts, and some things that are worth remembering.
The documentary “Other Side,” an intimate look into the life of one woman and her fight to die on her terms, will be shown Monday night at Darien Library.
Following the film, Kate Bagnati, end-of-life doula and member of Connecticut Death Collective, will discuss the film and its theme.
This year’s Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival, with rides, lawn games, face-painting takes place Saturday and Sunday at the school. Here are details about what’s happening, as described by the Tokeneke PTO, which organizes the event:
A presentation at the Board of Education about the superintendent search, a brief description of upcoming parent-teacher conferences at elementary schools, and a tip of the hat to Darien’s principals are some of the topics in the latest edition Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne’s weekly newsletter.
Other topics in this week’s newsletter: reminders about events for families in town, a coat drive at the middle school, and school sports this weekend.
Rasal passed away this morning, Oct. 17, due to age-related health complications. At 40 years old, she far exceeded the typical 22-year life expectancy of harbor seals in captivity, placing her among the five oldest known in the country.
Here’s Realtor Deirdre McGovern’s report on Darien and Rowayton-area real estate from Oct. 9 to 16, 2025:
Award-winning photographer and Darien resident Ben Larrabee will discuss his new book, Trudie: A Portrait by Ben Larrabee at Darien Library on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 19.
Interstate 95 will have some closed lanes in both directions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., this Monday through Wednesday between Exits 13 and 15, as gas line inspections take place the state Transportation Department announced.
David Andrew Dever, 83, a Darien resident for 52 years, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 8.
Michael Robert Taylor, affectionately known as “Tay Tay” of Darien, passed away suddenly on Oct. 8. He was 57.
Why is much of Connecticut talking about a bridge from Bridgeport, across Long Island Sound, to New York State? How did we get sucked into a debate about a project that every transportation expert I spoke with said just won’t happen?
A 27-year-old man who stole and then altered a check in 2022, was recently arrested at Riker’s Island jail by Darien Police, the department announced.
Dolores L. Vollenweider, 95, a resident at Wilton Meadows and a former longtime resident of Darien, died peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 7 after a long illness. She was 95.
Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne’s weekly newsletter on Friday mentions activities of the Wave Strong Club, a bike and scooter safety workshop and a new Instagram page for the district.
Christopher Mark Smith of Youngsville, North Carolina, passed peacefully on Sept. 21, 2025. He was 67.
What would happen to you if you borrowed your company’s car and, thanks to built-in tracking technology, were caught driving 113 mph?
Or how would your HR staff “dialogue” with you if the car’s mileage wasn’t properly logged, you had apparently used it for personal trips, then left it sitting in a garage, and when you did return it to the motor pool it had $3,500 in damage?
This isn’t a hypothetical question. These are actual cases of state employees, including former Chief of Staff to Gov. Ned Lamont, Jonathan Dach.
Here’s Realtor Deirdre McGovern’s report on Darien and Rowayton-area real estate from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, 2025:
Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore welcome local author, Georgia Hunter, who will talk about her new book, One Good Thing, the long-awaited follow-up to her 2017 bestselling debut, We Were the Lucky Ones.
An enigmatic painting. The powerful woman who created it. Will they both be lost to time? Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore welcome author, B.A. Shapiro, who will discuss her new book, The Lost Masterpiece.
October marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, remember those lost, and recommit to building safer communities.
I finally had a chance to ride the new NextGen Acela and I have to admit, I was wrong: this really is Amtrak’s train of the future.
But here are a few tips for making your next ride frictionless. These tips are mostly about riding Acela, but many hold true for slower Northeast Corridor trains.
A 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS on Inwood Road was entered sometime on or just before Saturday, Sept. 20, and a wallet and several other personal items was stolen from the SUV, Darien police were told.